Keith Pompey

Inquirer Staff Writer

The Sixers on Friday signed free agent center Kwame Brown to a two-year, $6 million deal, according to a report that first appeared on Yahoo Sports.

Brown, 6-11, will get the opportunity to start if he can beat out Spencer Hawes, last season’s starter. Hawes and the Sixers have reached agreement on a two-year, $13 million deal.

Last season, Brown appeared in just nine games with Golden State before suffering a torn pectoral muscle in his chest. He has season-ending surgery in January.

Brown was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the first pick in the 2001 draft. He was the first player to be selected out of high school with the top pick in the draft. Current Sixers coach Doug Collins was his first NBA coach.

In 11 pro seasons, Brown averaged 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The Sixers are his seventh pro team.